CIVIL UNIONS-RELIGIOUS FREEDOM House SponsorsRep. Greg Harris-Barbara Flynn Currie-Deborah Mell-Constance A. Howard-Sara Feigenholtz, Harry Osterman, John A. Fritchey, Lou Lang, George Scully, Jr., Julie Hamos, Cynthia Soto, Naomi D. Jakobsson, Mike Boland and Camille Y Lilly 1/11/2011HouseSession Sine Die New Act Creates the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. Defines "civil union" as a legal relationship between 2 persons, of either the same or opposite sex, established in accordance with the Act. Provides that a party to a civil union shall be entitled to the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections, and benefits afforded or recognized by the law of Illinois to spouses. Prohibits certain civil unions. Provides that the Director of Public Health shall prescribe forms for an application, license, and certificate for a civil union. Contains provisions regarding: application for a civil union license; certification of a civil union; and duties of the county clerk and Department of Public Health. Provides for dissolution and declaration of invalidity of a civil union. Provides that a marriage between persons of the same sex, a civil union, or a substantially similar legal relationship other than common law marriage, legally entered into in another jurisdiction, shall be recognized in Illinois as a civil union. Contains provisions regarding construction, application, religious freedom, severability, and other matters. 2/17/2009HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Greg Harris 2/18/2009HouseFirst Reading 2/18/2009HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/19/2009HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Osterman 2/19/2009HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. John A. Fritchey 2/19/2009HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lou Lang 2/19/2009HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. George Scully, Jr. 2/19/2009HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Julie Hamos 2/19/2009HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Cynthia Soto 2/19/2009HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson 2/19/2009HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Mike Boland 2/20/2009HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie 2/20/2009HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Deborah Mell 2/20/2009HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Constance A. Howard 2/20/2009HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sara Feigenholtz 2/23/2009HouseAssigned to Youth and Family Committee 3/5/2009HouseDo Pass / Standard Debate Youth and Family Committee; 004-003-000 3/5/2009HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Standard Debate 3/19/2009HouseSecond Reading - Standard Debate 3/19/2009HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Standard Debate 4/3/2009HouseCommittee/3rd Reading Deadline Extended-Rule May 29, 2009 5/8/2009HouseCommittee/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 29, 2009 5/22/2009HouseFinal Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 29, 2009 5/29/2009HouseFinal Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2009 5/31/2009HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 5/4/2010HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y Lilly 1/11/2011HouseSession Sine Die